I was very much pleased to
receive your letter apprising me of your good health & of the happiness of
those around you.I wish indeed
that I could see you all, but that is a happiness I can hardly expect.Indeed no one has a right to look for any happiness these days except
such as he might derive from his efforts to do his duty.I have been called here very unexpectedly to me & have today been
placed in duty at this place under the directions of the Pres: I am willing to
do anything I can do to help the noble cause we are engaged in , & to take
any position; but the lower & more humble the position the more agreeable to
me & the better qualified I should feel to fill it.I fear I shall be able to do little in the position assigned me &
cannot hope to satisfy the feverish & excited expectation of our good
people.I spent Sunday last with
Mary & found her better than expected.Our good Bishop (Meade) died last night.May our end be like his!Give
much love to Sister Lucy & your children & believe me always your
brother